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Water Conservation Regulations


STAGE 2 MANDATORY CONSERVATION-WATER ALERT

To address continued drought conditions in California, the City has declared a Stage 2 Mandatory Conservation-Water Alert. Water use restrictions are:

RESIDENTS

  • Outdoor watering is limited to Tuesdays and Saturdays, before 10:00 a.m. and after 5:00 p.m. only, except by use of a hand-held hose equipped with a shut-off nozzle. To prevent water runoff, watering is limited to very short periods of time. Adjustments and repairs to your irrigation system are also exempt. *Outdoor watering is defined as grass, trees, fruit trees, and other vegetation, including vegetable and fruit gardens.

  • When using auto sprinklers, irrigation is limited to 15 minutes per station on Tuesdays and Saturdays, before 10:00 a.m. and after 5:00 p.m. only.

  • Washing cars, trucks, trailers, boats, and other types of mobile equipment is permitted on Tuesdays and Saturdays, from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. only. A hand-held hose equipped with a self-closing water shut-off device or a hand-held bucket must be used.

  • Water runoff onto adjoining sidewalk, driveway, street, gutter or ditch is prohibited.

  • No washing down hard or paved surfaces.

  • No operating of any ornamental fountain or similar structure, except for those that recirculate water.

  • Homeowners are required to fix leaks, breaks, or malfunctioning plumbing immediately.

  • No outdoor watering within 48 hours after rainfall of at least one-fourth of 1 inch of rain, as recorded by the National Weather Service, the closest CIMIS station to the parcel or other method acceptable by the City.

  • Filling or re-filling of swimming pools, spas, ponds, and artificial lakes is permitted on Tuesdays and Saturdays, between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. only.

  • The state’s regulations also protect tenants of Homeowner's Association (HOA) from rules and fines/penalties that are inconsistent with the City’s water conservation measures, such as requiring residents to remove or reduce water-efficient landscaping.

COMMERCIAL

  • Restaurants and other food service establishments can serve water to customers on request only.

  • Hotels and motels must provide guests with the option of not having towels and linens laundered daily.

  • Watering of parks, schools, grounds, and recreational fields is permitted on Tuesdays and Saturdays, before 10:00 a.m. and after 6:00 p.m.

  • Agricultural users and commercial nurseries are exempt from Stage 2 regulations, but are required to reduce all non-essential water use.

  • The state's regulation bans watering ornamental grass turf, except if used for recreational purposes (e.g. sports field) or to maintain trees.

To obtain detailed information on water restrictions, refer to the Municipal Code on the City's website, located in Title 14: Water, Chapter 40: Water Conservation Program.

The City encourages its residents to use water efficiently and conserve whenever possible. If you spot water wasting activities, please report it to the Water Services Division at (714) 741-5395.

WATER CONSERVATION REBATES

For a list of water conservation rebates, visit ggcity.org/water-rebates.